Pitching
- Inevitable part of programme making
- develop idea for pitch
- prepare proposal
- pitch
- answer questions
- make use of pitching sessions
What is the purpose of a pitch?
- to allow the opportunity to deliver presentation of idea and flesh it out so your audience can visualise the film / show
- chance to get feedback and find out what works and what needs improvement or changes
What should you do before a pitch?
Research idea to ascertain its:
- strengths
- weaknesses
- opportunities
- threats
Develop fully formed proposal which will stand up to questioning.
Preparing Proposal
Your idea must have an OBJECTIVE.
Write this into proposal which is in present tense and has an 'active voice'. This is a written representation of the visuals and your treatment.
What happens at the pitching session?
Allotted amount of time in which to convey your idea
Pitch to most senior members of the programme or to relevant channel commissioners or development executives
Suggested elements:
- Outline initial intentions and ambitions
- Working title and location (VTs - where are they?)
- Idea in one sentence
- Synopsis of idea - clear overview of programme, content, contributors, VT, style
- Target audience & channel - research / data to explain that
- Style & tone - virtual mood board - colours, mood, tone, central & minor characters - show access / agreements / research already in progress
- How format adds to the programme storytelling and USP
- Why programme should be commissioned
- Running order
- VTs
- Basic camera / floor plan
How should you present your pitch?
Use visual aids - provide guidance / structure
Show example of clips of similar / existing content which could illustrate what it is going to be like
Logically - go through step by step
Check viability of idea - includes knowing that important elements of your idea can actually happen
Contact contributors - check viable to use them
Body language and style
Think about appearance and pace of the pitch
Prepare and rehearse
Be enthusiastic - add colour
Emphasise USP
Responding to Questions
Be prepared to expand on presentation - have more detail available
Take your time
Facts and figures
Remain positive even if you don't have the answer
Pitching dos and don'ts
Do's
- be brave and surprise
- passionate and engaging
- challenge conventions
- top line
- know existing output and spot opportunities
- develop a dialogue with commissioners
- pitch ideas and stories not subject matters
Don't:
- send lots of ideas
- patronise editors with gimmicks
- water down idea too soon
- make promises you can't keep
- ensure ideas worked up
- worry about fancy presentations
How you can make criticism work for you:
- take on board comments and consider how you can incorporate them
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